Restored trucks Pioneer Acres Museum Irricana part 2
Technically not all the trucks shown here are fully restored, but all are complete so we’ll include those ones anyway. This is a continuation of a previous report and here we showcase some fine examples seem at the Pioneer Acres Museum in Irricana Alberta. We could not photograph every truck nor would be even try to, and this is just a small sampling of their collection.
First up is the ubiquitous GMC one ton from the late 1960s or early 1970s. A common farm truck, and in fact many are still hard at work forty years after they were built. This ugly-duckling is probably passed over by those looking for more exciting vehicles. It still has a story to tell though.
Mack seems to be the dominate truck at the museum and a lot were shown in the last report and here we’ll show off a few more. Of course there is ubiquitous model AC, the truck that made Mack famous. Known as the Bulldog, this odd and rugged looking vehicle was in production for a several decades and was the quintessential truck for construction sites or extreme duty service.
Tough and durable, just like their drivers. Some models seen here lack cabs (who needs them), but I am not sure if this was a factory delete option or if they were removed later for some reason. Trucks without cabs seem to be common in old pictures, so perhaps it was the former. Many of these ACs have solid rubber tires – what a rough ride that would be. Plus they all seem to have chain drive – although as I understand it, drive shafts were offered later on (the model was produced from 1916-39).
Some other Macks seen include a B series, such a nice design truck – so fluid. This model dates from 1953-1966 and was produced in good numbers over several sub models.
Nearby we find a Kelly Springfield truck with a bold blue paint job. This maker lasted into the 1920s and this example with its Mack looking hood and heavy duty construction could easily be confused with the latter. In fact we did list it as a Mack AC until someone corrected us (yes, we make mistakes).
In the corner was a Sterling, probably the only truck I’ve ever seen that makes an Autocar or Mack seem wussy. It’s one tough imposing vehicle! This Sterling is not to be confused with more recent revival of the brand and they are only connected by name (the latter closed in 2009). The last of the old Sterlings were made in the 1950s.
Also seen are a couple real oldies, a Packard open air bus from 1911 and right next to it is a Pierce Arrow open cab truck from around that same era. Both makers were later known for their luxury cars, but early on they made more utilitarian vehicles too. Both these vehicles have right hand drive.
There are a number of nice small pickups, including a late 1940s/early 1950s era Fargo. This brand was sold at Plymouth dealers and was simply a re-badged Dodge. These were sold in Canada and in other parts of the world, but Fargo was not seen in the US.
Next in line is a fine looking mid 1930s International pickup.
A neat Chevrolet pickup nearby has a square wooden cab. It’s a boxy thing, but the woodwork sure is beautiful. The truck dates from 1926, but the woodwork is probably more recent. The old stuff would have long since rotted away. Talk about an utilitarian set up – certainly cold and drafty in the winter.
Then there is a Rumely. This maker is better known for their farm tractors (Rumely Oil Pull being a name you might recognize), but for a while trucks were a part of their line. I have never seen one before and I am certain they are very rare. It’s not known if these were made by Rumely themselves or if they were produced by another truck manufacturer for them. Data on how many were made and the dates they were produced has not been found by this author. This one is listed as an early 1920s model.
It’s assumed that farmers were the target market for this line. After all International was doing it and selling tractors and trucks side by side. Rumely, later known as Advance-Rumely, was folded into the the Allis-Chalmers organization in the early 1930s.
Also seen is a beautiful fire truck mounted on a early to mid 1940s era Fargo chassis.
Lastly we see a very rugged looking early 1930s Autocar. This brand was famous for their near-indestructible trucks and this one looks to be no exception. I am not sure the model of this one, perhaps a viewer can help. Autocar exists to this day and is the oldest nameplate in North America. Today however they are known for their garbage trucks and the like.
A common themes with many of these old trucks is chrome. Shiny gorgeous chrome, I love it. Many of the earliest trucks have gas headlamps and some oldies had left hand steering as well.
To see part one of this report, follow the link below…
Restored trucks Pioneer Acres Museum Irricana part 1.
To see some unrestored trucks at the museum, click the link below…
Unrestored trucks Pioneer Acres Museum Irricana.
To some of their tractors and road machinery, go here…
Old farm tractors Pioneer Acres Museum Irricana.
Old road and construction machinery Pioneer Acres Museum Irricana.
If you wish more information on this place, by all means contact us!
Date of adventure: July 2012.
Location: Irricana Alberta.
Reference: To visit the Pioneer Acres Museum website follow the link below…
Pioneer Acres Museum.
The 5th blue truck with the legend “A Mack AC with a bold paint job” is a Kelly Springfield.
Thank you for pointing this out and we’ve since corrected the mistake.
That place is amazing and I had no idea it existed. It’s worth a visit. I love those Macks!